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Comparison · 2 picks
JOOLA Perseus vs Selkirk Invikta UK 2026: Pro Paddle
Two of the most-asked-about tournament paddles in UK pickleball in 2026: the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus and the Selkirk Power Air Invikta. Both are premium thermoformed-carbon paddles, both have strong pro endorsements (Ben Johns for JOOLA; the Power Air range across Selkirk's roster), and both sit at the £230-280 UK price tier. The choice between them comes down to playing style and a couple of structural differences, not 'which is better'.
At a glance
All 2 options side by side.
 JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus (16mm) | Selkirk Power Air Invikta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £229 | £259 |
| Best for | The Perseus is the right choice for advanced tournament players who want Ben Johns's actual paddle and value brand credibility. | The Power Air Invikta is the right choice for power-and-spin players who prioritise raw shot quality over swing speed. |
| Check price | Check price |
The picks in detail
JOOLA JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus (16mm)
Bottom line. The Perseus is the right choice for advanced tournament players who want Ben Johns's actual paddle and value brand credibility. Best for 4.0+ players competing seriously.
Pros
- World #1 player signature - serious tour credibility
- Thermoformed carbon construction delivers genuine tournament-grade power
- Strong spin generation from textured carbon face
- Build quality is consistently excellent - JOOLA QC is well-regarded
Cons
- Premium pricing (£220-260 UK) puts it at the top of the buyable tier
- Tighter sweet spot than wide-body paddles - punishing on off-centre hits
- Spin generation is excellent but the Selkirk's Power Air design edges it slightly
Selkirk Selkirk Power Air Invikta
Bottom line. The Power Air Invikta is the right choice for power-and-spin players who prioritise raw shot quality over swing speed. Best for serve-focused and baseline-driving players at 4.0+.
Pros
- Power Air technology delivers exceptional spin generation
- Elongated shape adds reach for serves and baseline drives
- Strong build quality - Selkirk has a long tournament-paddle track record
- Wider UK retail availability than JOOLA tournament tier
Cons
- Most expensive of the two (£250-280 UK)
- Power Air aerodynamic shaping adds weight at the head - swing speed lower
- Sweet spot tighter than the Perseus despite the shape claim
JOOLA Perseus vs Selkirk Power Air Invikta - the headline difference
The simplest framing: JOOLA Perseus is the balanced tournament paddle, Selkirk Power Air Invikta is the spin-and-reach tournament paddle. Both are excellent; the choice depends on whether you want classical proportions (Perseus) or the aerodynamic shaping that distinguishes the Power Air range (Invikta).
Three things drive the difference:
- Shape: Perseus is a conventional elongated 16-inch profile. Selkirk Power Air Invikta has aerodynamic notching at the head that's claimed to reduce drag - real effect on swing weight, contested effect on the swing speed maths.
- Face technology: Both use textured thermoformed carbon. Selkirk's Power Air face has slightly more grit at the surface from the production process - measurable spin advantage but small.
- Core: Both use polypropylene honeycomb cores at 14-16mm thickness. The Perseus 16mm is the control-leaning version; the Invikta is single-thickness in the Power Air line.
How do they play head-to-head?
Practical takeaways for a 4.0+ UK player switching between them:
- Drives from the baseline: Roughly equal. Both generate genuine tour-level pace. The Perseus has a fractionally faster swing speed; the Invikta has slightly more raw power per swing.
- Spin generation: Invikta wins. The Power Air face is the standout for topspin drives and slice resets. The Perseus is no slouch but the Selkirk edges it.
- Dinks and resets: Perseus wins. Conventional shape + balanced weight distribution gives better touch at the net.
- Serves: Invikta wins. Elongated shape + Power Air aerodynamics deliver a measurable serve power advantage. Players targeting tournament serves prefer the Invikta.
- Hand-speed at the kitchen: Perseus wins. Lower swing weight = faster hands in fast-paced exchanges. The Invikta's head-heavy bias is a small but real disadvantage here.
- Sweet spot: Both are tight. Don't expect wide-body forgiveness from either.
Which player profile suits each paddle?
Pick JOOLA Perseus
Net-focused fast-hands player
Pick Selkirk Power Air Invikta
Baseline-and-serve player
Specifications side-by-side
For the specifications-conscious buyer:
- JOOLA Perseus 16mm: 16.5 in × 7.5 in elongated, 14mm or 16mm thermoformed polypropylene core, textured carbon face, 7.8-8.0 oz typical, 5-inch grip length, USAPA approved.
- Selkirk Power Air Invikta: 16.5 in × 7.4 in elongated with aerodynamic notching, 14mm thermoformed polypropylene core, textured carbon Power Air face, 7.9-8.3 oz typical, 5.25-inch grip length, USAPA approved.
For a deeper read on the individual paddles see our JOOLA Perseus review and our Selkirk Power Air Invikta review.
Where to buy in the UK
UK retail for both paddles is solid:
- JOOLA Perseus: Pure Racket Sport, Pickleball UK, PickleballGB. £220-260 typical. Amazon UK intermittent. JOOLA's UK distribution is mature enough that stock is reliable.
- Selkirk Power Air Invikta: Pure Racket Sport, Pickleball UK, Decathlon UK (limited). £250-280 typical. Slightly easier to find in mainstream UK pickleball stockists than the Perseus.
Both paddles see end-of-season discounts (Black Friday, January sales) typically taking 15-25% off. If you can plan the purchase around those windows the price gap narrows significantly.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Which is better - JOOLA Perseus or Selkirk Power Air Invikta?
Q02Does the Power Air design actually reduce drag noticeably?
Q03Are these paddles suitable for intermediate players (3.0-3.5)?
Q04Which has the better spin generation?
Q05How long do these paddles last?
Q06Is the JOOLA Perseus 14mm or 16mm version better?
The bottom line
For tournament-aspiring UK players choosing between these two, the decision is genuinely about playing style rather than paddle quality. If you're a kitchen-focused 4.0+ player who scores on dinks and fast hands, the JOOLA Perseus 16mm is the answer. If you're a baseline-and-serve 4.0+ player who scores on heavy spin and big serves, the Selkirk Power Air Invikta is the answer.
If you're in the £200-280 budget range and you can't try both, default to the Perseus - it's the more universally suitable tournament paddle and the slightly more controlled feel forgives more shot-making variability. The Invikta is the specialist pick when you know you want the spin-and-serve advantage. Both are excellent products from serious manufacturers; you won't go wrong either way.